Of rivalries and guys just doing their jobs

Finally, some snow to shovel. Whoop-dee-damn-doo!

But while I’m working, you can read:

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I can’t think of a single time in the past when any Canada-Germany game in any sport anywhere caused as much concern as this big tilt Tuesday night does.

When you think rivalry, that’s hardly up there with the biggies.

And that got me thinking, in the kind of non-linear thinking that I tend to do about the Raptors and their rivals and who they really are.

So …

List time

Top five all-time Raptors rivalries

(Done with the proviso that these things come and go and you have to recall the circumstances around each of them)

New York, circa early-2000s.

Vince-Sprewell, Butch-Marcus, Oak-history, Mark Jackson-Alvin.

It was outstanding and there was a real edge to it.

New Jersey, the Booing Years

Yeah, him. Intensity like I’ve never felt around the building here. Oh, and the whole “let’s wear red jerseys just to mess ‘em up thing” was kind of fun.

Milwaukee, late-1990s

There was a bit of an edge to Vince-Ray Allen over Olympic team stuff and Butch was persona non-grata in some areas of Wisconsin because the Bucks thought he’d tampered with Dell Curry. And he might have.

Orlando, mid-2000s.

It will vault way up the list if they meet in the playoffs this year, won’t it?

Boston, now

Oh yeah, this one’s got a lot of player in it, actually. It’s not that they hate each other a lot, but there is some “screw you” in the Raptors when they play them. Or at least they'll try to give off that vibe.

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We get all kinds of suggestions here that when some Raptor gets hurt someone else better “step up” and fill the void.

Yes, they do; but, as we’ve said before, it’s not like they try harder or anything. They give whatever effort they have every night and just because someone’s missing – like, say, a Chris Bosh – doesn’t really mean much.

As Jarrett pointed out yesterday:

“We don’t have a meeting and say, ‘you know, Chris is out and we’ve got to …’

“I’m being serious, we just come in, we know what the situation is with Chris being down, we have to come out and play with that same heart, that same intensity, that same effort that we’ve been doing all season long.

“And when Chris gets back, it’s going to be the same thing. We’re not going to have a meeting and say, ‘Chris is here, everything is all right.’ Chris is going to come back, be that presence we so desperately need and keep on rolling.”

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Canada vs. U.S. for women’s pucks gold out in Vancouver?

Who’d have figured that, eh?

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So I’m watching Atlanta-Utah last night (if they did Ice Dancing With The Stars it might have been different) and, of course, there are all kinds of promotional commercials for what’s coming up on RaptorsTV.

Longing for the return of the Norma Wick Comedy Hour, I sit intently watching and see them setting up Wednesday’s game.

And they’re doing it by plugging Bargnani vs. Roy and I’m thinking they really think Andrea’s come around or they don’t see some of my e-mail, where the tired old debate rears its ugly head every now and then.

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So Andrew Bogut goes 12-15 from the field, had 20 rebounds including six on the offensive end as Milwaukee edges the Knicks 83-67 and the night does not include a single free throw?

Oh yeah, that’s one tough Knicks team indeed.

Bet LeBron, Bosh and Wade are drooling at chance.

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It was a little interesting listening to Jay talk Monday about the Raptors’ depth and who plays when and how he always expects guys at the end of the bench to be ready to contribute when called on.

The context was, of course, Rasho and what he’s done in the last couple of games but Jay turned the conversation rather quickly.

“That helps define who you are as a team and we’ve been very good with being ready to play when guys get an opportunity.

“Marco Belinelli is a perfect example. He hasn’t played in two of the last three games but he hasn’t done anything wrong, it’s just been a matter of, I think our first game back we lacked energy so we went with Sonny; and with matchup problems he doesn’t get in.

“But he could play major minutes against Portland on Wednesday and be a key factor in our game Friday. Everybody has to stay ready and that’s part of being professional.”

Now, I imagine a lot of that was a coach tossing a player a proverbial bone with public comments during tough times (and I know Marco’s not happy at all with DNP-CDs, but who would be?) but it was a little interesting nonetheless.

And I will tell you this:

If they use Marco tomorrow night to play against Rudy Fernandez, it is going to be wild. Those might be two of my favourite “you never have any idea what you might see next ‘cause they make it up as they go along, too” players in the league today.

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Oh yeah, the Hawthorn Hawks wrap up the arduous four-game regular season against the dastardly Queenstons on Thursday. In case you wanted to buy tickets, that is.

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Comments

[Matt M]

You'll eat your words when Bosh, Lebron, and Wade all sign in New York for the veterans minimum. Giving up tens of millions is a small price to play in the known center of the universe (outside Canada).

[Juan]

Doug do you have any thoughts on the outrage that seems to be building over Ilgauskas potentially returning to Cleveland? It seems to occur at least once every year and I think it makes the NBA look a little bush-league. I mean, what's the point of going to all the trouble of constructing the trades according to cap and tax rules if it's just a facade? Or is the grumbling this year mostly because it is Cleveland?

Blogger's note: It's a flaw in the CBA that will be addressed

[Filip T]

Doug,
Please tell me Norma is coming back, I miss her.

[Yoni]

Hey Doug,

I like the comparison between Marco and Rudy. But why is there even a comparison Bargnani to Roy? They play completely different positions. What about comparing Bargnani to Aldridge (also the same draft - 2nd overall). Stats wise they match up pretty well although I see Andrea as being the better of the 2. Agree?

[cb2]

for rivalries, how about the philly 76's back in the early 2000's, i remember growing up that whole iverson & mutombo VS vince & AD was a big deal.

[Doug]

Rudy vs Marco as your two favourites? You have to be kidding me....

Blogger's note: Did you even bother to read the rest of the sentence? Man, some people.

[Sean]

Hey Doug,

Last week you mentioned that the ACC will never host the All-Star Game because it lacks "back of house" room. Do you know if that was a problem during the 2000 NHL All-Star game, or are they just different beasts?

Blogger's note: Much different beasts

[Boko]

The root of a rivalry starts in the NBA playoffs, so I'd drop the Bucks and Celtics from the list, and add the 76ers, & Pistons. Them, the Knicks, the Nets & the Magic ended our playoff runs, and we, the fans, want to see us get our revenge someday.

[Rob.V]

Duude!

Good piece on Amir and Evans.

I realize there is still a quarter of the season to go however any guesstimation on what Amir would command in the off season as a free agent. Do you think teams will offer him the full mid-level?

On a side note:

I still beleive the kid in Portland (Oden) has a chance to have a good career in the NBA however you have to wonder if Portland is not kicking themselves for not selecting Durant #1. Has anyone seen this kid play lately (big shot,after big shot). Already one of the best clutch shooters in the NBA?

That kid is something special!

Blogger's note: I don't know, but I don't think so; I think contract offers this summer, with labour uncertainty everywhere, will be low and short-term

[mdc]

Judging from NBC's Olympics coverage, including the Today show, it appears that Vancouver is raising the country's Cool Quotient in the U.S., and this will not hurt Toronto's image as a desirable basketball destination.

[Logan from Saskatoon]

What is the outlook on CB4? Will he play Wednesday?

[Anthony]

I like the addition of Camby to the Blazers, he gives you everything Greg Oden would have given them plus Camby can actually make it to the end of a game without fouling out. He will make them much harder to play against, might not score much but they don't expect him to... give him some table scraps and easy put back garbage and he's happy. I've very interested to see how Andrea plays against all those bigs in Portland without Bosh in the lineup.

[Jim S]

Any predictions for the Hawthorn Hawks vs. the mighty Queenstons? Spurs by 12?

[Julie]

Norma Wick Comedy Hour?
I'd much prefer to see her over the not funny at all Jack Armstrong.

[dc]

I was outspoken about the draft of Bargnani vs Roy or some of the other picks (I think Foye and Gay and maybe another name were in the group). At that time, the Raptors needed athletic wing players but they also needed defense, depth and scoring from the forwards.
Just want to come out here and admit that I was wrong to doubt Bargnani's ability to develop at the pace Raptors fans have witnessed. Finally, it appears they have it all just like back in the Vince, Alvin, Dell, Chritie, JYD, AD, and Oak years
No doubt, Roy fit perfectly with the Blazers and he's been a dominant player for them. Bargnani has perhaps taken an extra season or two to display the full range of his potential. There should no longer be any question that he was the right pick for the Raptors to make at No.1 and offering an extension at around $10 million a season is affordable. He plays seamlessly with the stronger Bosh 2.0 on offense and 3 clean blocks in a row to close out a game and take away a victory from a surprising, still talented and athletic Wizards team says it all.
There is no debate, Bargnani is no draft bust. Andrew Bogus on the other hand....

[gm]

they already do ice dancing with the stars in the UK, so I'm sure you guys will have it before long!!!

[greg]

Apart from cold winters i do not understand why any nba player would not want to play in this city. Taxes may also be an issue. Toronto, compared to many NBA cities is pretty kool, with a lot of things happening. We definately beat out places like Indiana, Cleveland, Milwaukee,Minneapolis,OKC, Charlotte on the fun factor. We beat a lot of others too, but thats a long list.

I feel the main factor that may discourage players from playing in Toronto is the team. They want to play for the raptors if they are a winning team. Being in Canada the raptors wont get a lot of press down south if they are just another lottery team.

Hopefully they will turn things around consistently.

[Marc. A]

Hey Doug,

Any idea when Toronto is slated to get an all-star game?? On All-Star weekend I heard we were getting it the year after next....can you corroborate this??

Thanks,
Marc. A

Blogger's note: No, I can't. You need to hear from smarter people

[Dan W]

Andrew Bogut is averaging 16 and 10. That's a point less then Andrea and 4 more rebounds. Don't think he falls under the bust catagory. Neither will be the best from their draft class, but they are both good players who in the next few years could have a chance to back up Dwight at the All Star game.

[Mike kovacs]

Donnie Walsh better have somebody close by to do CPR after he reads this: http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/02/23/free.agents/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

[GM]

Just wanted to clear up that I am not the lower case 'gm'. Do I need to change my user name now that there's an imposter?! Thankfully his/her post was innocuous.

Blogger's note: I wondered about that but could tell from the tone and the style that it wasn't you. Caps GM works over here

[Andre]

Wow Washington Wizards situation has gone from bad to worst... They just trade for howard, and he gets injuired and is out for the season... what a blow.. your thoughts Sir.Doug?

[Derek H]

Here is my rant but first let me start by saying that I am not a big fan of figure skating or ice dance but top story on the sports radio update this morning is the goalie change even though that was the story already yesterday and then the women's hockey team winning last night. Third story is the gold medal won by the ice dance pair last night. That's pathetic! All this talk of these millionaire hockey players who will go back to earning $50-100K per game after the Olympics are over instead of a gold medal. How many of these athletes scrape tooth and nail to make it to the Olympics for their whole lives and after the Olympics are over go back to scraping tooth and nail to try to do it again in 4 years. If I had my choice; a gold medal in men's hockey or a bronze by Chris Delbosco in ski-cross I would choose the bronze. Even though he is more American than Canadian his story is much more inspiring and more of the Olympic spirit than hearing about a bunch of millionaire hockey players who don't deserve to be in the Olympics. If they themselves had the choice most of them would pick winning a Stanley Cup over a gold medal in their career. Maybe it is because I am not a big hockey fan. Of course if it was an Olympic medal in basketball or Chris Delbosco it would be a harder choice but of course the Canadian basketball team is an extreme under dog and most of their players don't play in the NBA. End of my rant.

[MJ]

Queenston Dr is my old elementary school!

A game report would be much appreciated.

Blogger's note: I may be able to see the game this week; will do my best

[Richard]

@Sean and Marc A re: All Star game.

The thing is that an NBA all star game is not just a game. Besides all the skills contests and the rookie -sophomore game, it is also a stage show cum circus with musicians, dancers, pyrotechnics, marching bands, elephant acts, etc. - and that needs huge spaces backstage for dressing rooms, staging areas, etc. On top of that it also needs convention center sized space for all kinds of people hawking collectibles, clothing, and autographs of elephant acts as well as a huge media centre.

Now with the latest game being held in a football stadium to raise the bar, it becomes very difficult for Toronto to stage the event given the facilities it has available and not already booked.

So it is unlikely to come to Toronto any time soon (maybe after the PanAm games depending on what is built for that).

Trust this helps.